At the 4th annual MOTD May 4-7, how many people are doing athletic stuff inbetween the regular MOTD events?
I shurely will do a few runs there and am still thinking about taking my mountain bike too. Who else will feel a bit athletic?
Cheers.
Herbert

 

The place we're staying has canoes, kayaks and bikes for its guests (its on a lake). My wife and I plan to partake of that.

 

Hi herbert,

Are we talking May? I took my mt. bike last year and this year will also bring my sea kayak and as always my trail running shoes.

Bob

 

I edited my line in the initial post as it was not quite clear. I meant while we are at 4th MOTD in May, will there be folks interested in athletetics inbetween driving and exchanging beer and other events?
So yes, we are talking May 4-7.
:-)
H

 

I really should bring my sea kayak this year. . . I never get to play with it and it might be a fun thing to do for just a little while one afternoon when the road is packed. . . .

The killboy picture of a sea kayak on my roofrack would be worth it even if the kayak never got wet!

 

I would be up for some mountain biking. Either Tsali or Fontana Village.


If anyone wants to ride at Tanasi anytime, I could meet you on the weekends.

 

Hey guys.

We tried to get a mountain biking group together last time, but never managed to find each other all at the right time.

Maybe it was because I was put in charge of it??

Anyway, I will be bringing my mountain bike, and if anyone wants to get together for a ride - there seem to be pretty good trails right at Fontana, so it saves going some place else, to save time.

It's no trouble for me to bring my bike - it stands quite happily behind my drivers seat in Zipmore!! Got a great rack inside the MINI!!!

 

I am still deciding between:
- Bike on roof rack, take the rack off while there, put it back on for journey back
and
- Bike inside car with both wheels and seat post out.

Hmmmm? choices, choices :-)

H

 

I'm planning on bringing my mt bike and my sea kayak (17.6 ft.) I will have a great time driving the Dragon with a 17+ ft kayak on top. Herbert, I don't think I can keep up with you but I will try not to be too far behind. I prefer Tsali to Fontana 10:1 .... so that is where I will ride.

Bob

 

The great advantage of having the bike inside the car - on this fantastic rack that I have - means that you never have to worry about the bike. I drove this bike up and down the dragon several times before I took it out, and it NEVER shifted.

So, this also means that you don't have to worry at all about the bike on the long journey down to the dragon, and can still drive with plenty of spirit and not have to wonder what the bike is doing on top!!!

Good luck with your decision - I sure am glad with mine!!!!

 

How do you have the bike secured inside the car? I can't really tell from the picture. I'd be up for some biking, too; it'll give me an excuse to get my flabby self into shape!

 

Well either you're single or your wife doesn't ride. I use my roof rack because we both mtn bike. Hope to make it some day for one of the Dragons, but living in Maine has a drawback or two.

 

I bet you've got many roads that rival the Dragon, fred3! I'm hoping to get up there next month for some skiing and snowmobiling!

 

We have a few, but few with the views you get driving up in the mtns. Prey for cooler weather for your skiing and snowmobiling! Have fun.

 

I decided to carry the mountain bike in back to get to MOTD and leave the roof rack at home. And SpiderX is right, Tsali is an amazing place for riding.
Plus let me know who'll be up for a few runs.


Herbert

 

Think I can fit it in here?

 

O man I so want to bring my bike!! But alas I have a 'vert and I really don't know how I'm gonna pack it -- along with everything else -- into the MINI. I will bring my running shoes. I think someone mentioned bike rentals... which is what I will most likely do in lieu of cramming my bike into my MINI.

 

Bike rentals...that would be cool. I'm also looking forward to hiking on the paths around there too. I'm not so big on running though. Has anyone ever hiked the trails? Is it necessary to bring the compass?

 

Bike rentals are available at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. I think it's about a 30-45 minute drive from the Dragon.
Info Here http://www.noc.com/outdoor_sports_land.html

 

If you have to rent from someplace that far away, you might as well bring your own (if you've got one, that is...). Transportation from the rental shop will still be a pain, no?

 

It's never a bad idea to have a compass along, but unless you're completely clueless in the woods, I doubt a compass will be necessary. Judging from the map, the trails around Fontana Village basically just ring the village just outside the visual range of all the cabins, so you're probably within shouting range if you get seriosuly disoriented. Plus, this is such a popular spot that the trails should be well-worn and easy to follow. The Appalachian Trail, just one mile up the road, will be a prominent trail blazed with white paint, which you could follow for a mile, or for 1500 miles all the way to Maine.

 

Renting bikes from the Nantahala Outdoor Center will also gets you close to the very nice Tsali trails.
And at the Tsali trail system getting lost is also pretty much impossible.


Herbert

 

I am considering bringing my Mountain Bike with me too. I came down and rode at Tsali once when I was in Medical School and it was fantastic.

Can anyone provide good directions from Fontanna Village to the Tsali trailhead/parking lot thingy? Do I just shoot down Route 28?

I am super out of shape though. This should be interesting.

 

I would like to do some biking around myself. Debating on whether I should bring my bike... too much stuff to pack as it is.

 

The Tsali trails are really easy to ride and to get to. From Robbinsville follow NC 28 towards Bryson City until you see the sign for the Tsali Recreation Area, turn left. Follow this newly paved road to the campground and trailhead parking lot; park in the lot signed "Riders Park and Pay Here."

Herbert

Below is a map of the trail system, the black road running horizontal is 28.


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